When I was looking to buy a new TV last year, one of my main goals was to find something that would last me a very long time. I didn’t want to buy a TV only to find myself shopping for another one two or three years later. Instead, I wanted something that would easily last me half a decade or more, which is why I ultimately chose the LG C5.
It had everything I was looking for: an OLED panel, four HDMI 2.1 ports, a 120Hz refresh rate, Nvidia G-Sync, and Dolby Vision support. In terms of features, I knew I was covered, and after using it for the past year, I’ve been extremely happy with its picture quality and performance.
However, as much as I love my LG TV, there’s one thing I know is inevitable: one day, it will lose software support.
Smart TVs nowadays are a lot like PCs, receiving software updates and security patches that introduce new features while protecting them against exploits and other vulnerabilities. The problem, though, is that, like a PC, smartphone, or tablet, smart TVs don’t receive support forever. And in LG’s case, there’s a firm cutoff for when its smart TVs stop receiving major updates. If you have an LG TV too, its expiration date may be closer than you think.
Here’s when your LG TV will stop getting updates
LG’s Re:New program only guarantees updates for so long
If you’re wondering how much longer your LG TV has before it stops receiving software updates, it all depends on the year your model was released.
Through its Re:New program, LG guarantees four major webOS upgrades over five years for its smart TVs. However, the program only applies to TVs released in 2022 or later, meaning LG TVs from 2021 and earlier fall outside the guarantee. That doesn’t mean older models have stopped receiving minor updates, but if you own one, you shouldn’t expect the same level of ongoing software support. If you have a 2022 or newer LG TV, on the other hand, you still have some major updates to look forward to.
For example, my LG C5 TV launched in 2025, so under the Re:New program, it should receive its final major webOS upgrade, webOS 29, in late 2029 or early 2030.
If you’re unfamiliar with webOS, it’s the operating system that powers LG TVs. LG typically announces a new version of webOS alongside its latest TVs at the beginning of the year, then rolls it out to older models later on. That’s exactly what happened this year. LG launched its 2026 TVs with webOS 26, but it didn’t begin rolling out the update to older models until September. So far, its 2025 TVs have received the update, while models from 2024, 2023, and 2022 are expected to follow later in 2026 and into early 2027.
For LG TVs released in 2022, webOS 26 will be their fourth major upgrade under the Re:New program, ending their guaranteed upgrade cycle.
Your LG TV will keep working after updates end
There’s an easy way to extend its longevity
It’s important to note that once your LG TV receives its last major webOS update, it won’t suddenly stop working. Your TV will keep working just fine long after its update support expires. The biggest concern is that, over time, it could become more vulnerable to security issues due to a lack of updates, while built-in streaming apps may eventually become incompatible as the TV gets older.
If you have an LG TV that’s already stopped receiving major updates, one of the best things you can do is pick up an external streaming device, such as a Roku Streaming Stick, Apple TV 4K, or a Fire TV Stick. This is an easy way to get around the fact that your TV is no longer receiving software updates, since a streaming box or stick can continue to receive updates and run the latest apps independently of your TV’s software.
In other words, if you have an older LG TV, you can simply turn off its Wi-Fi and rely entirely on an external streaming device for your entertainment. That way, you can keep enjoying your TV for years to come without having to worry as much about its aging software.
Quiz
LG Smart TVs
Trivia Challenge
From OLED breakthroughs to webOS wizardry — how well do you really know LG’s television legacy?
webOSOLEDHistoryFeaturesTechnology
In what year did LG Electronics first launch its Smart TV platform under the ‘LG Smart TV’ branding?
Correct! LG officially launched its Smart TV lineup in 2011, bringing internet connectivity and app access to its televisions. This was part of a broader industry push to turn TVs into connected entertainment hubs.
Not quite — LG introduced its Smart TV platform in 2011. While connected TV concepts existed earlier, 2011 was the year LG formalized and branded the experience, coinciding with a wave of smart TV launches across the industry.
LG acquired the webOS operating system from which company to power its Smart TVs?
Correct! LG acquired webOS from HP in 2013, which had originally obtained it through its purchase of Palm in 2010. LG repurposed the mobile OS into a smart TV platform, debuting it on TVs at CES 2014.
The correct answer is HP, which inherited webOS through its 2010 acquisition of Palm. LG bought the platform from HP in 2013 and transformed it from a struggling mobile OS into the backbone of its Smart TV ecosystem.
LG became the first company to mass-produce large-screen OLED TVs for consumers. What screen size did their landmark 2013 model feature?
Correct! LG’s groundbreaking 55-inch OLED TV, the 55EM9600, made history as the first commercially available large-screen OLED television. Despite its eye-watering price tag of around $15,000, it marked a turning point for display technology.
The correct size was 55 inches — LG’s 55EM9600 launched as the world’s first mass-produced large-screen OLED TV. It was an engineering marvel at the time, though its steep price kept it out of most living rooms initially.
What is the name of LG’s AI-powered voice assistant integrated into its Smart TVs?
Correct! LG’s AI platform is called ThinQ AI, which powers voice commands, smart home integration, and personalized content recommendations across LG’s Smart TV lineup. LG TVs also support third-party assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
The answer is ThinQ AI — LG’s proprietary artificial intelligence platform that underpins voice control and smart home features on its TVs. ThinQ also connects LG’s broader ecosystem of home appliances under one unified AI umbrella.
LG’s QNED TV technology combines quantum dot filters with which other display enhancement technology?
Correct! LG’s QNED technology combines quantum dot and NanoCell filter layers with a Mini LED backlight system, allowing for more precise local dimming zones and improved contrast compared to traditional LED LCD sets.
The right answer is Mini LED backlighting. LG’s QNED TVs layer quantum dot and NanoCell technologies on top of a Mini LED backlight, creating a panel that punches above its weight in contrast and color accuracy compared to standard LCD displays.
Which unique hardware accessory, shaped like a magic wand, does LG provide to navigate webOS on its Smart TVs?
Correct! The Magic Remote is LG’s iconic gyroscopic remote control that lets users point and click on screen like a mouse. It also supports voice commands and scroll wheel input, making webOS navigation feel fluid and intuitive.
It’s called the Magic Remote — LG’s signature motion-sensing remote that uses a gyroscope to let users point at the screen and select items like a cursor. It’s been a hallmark of the LG Smart TV experience for over a decade.
Before the LG name existed, the company was formed from the merger of two South Korean firms. Which two companies merged to create LG?
Correct! LG stands for Lucky Goldstar — the result of a merger between Lucky (a chemicals company) and Goldstar (an electronics firm). The company rebranded to LG in 1995 as part of its push to become a globally recognized consumer electronics brand.
The answer is Lucky and Goldstar. LG is literally an abbreviation of those two company names, and the brand adopted its current identity in 1995. Goldstar was already known for producing televisions before the rebrand elevated LG to global prominence.
LG’s G-series OLED TVs use a special panel mounting design that places the TV flush against a wall with virtually no gap. What is this feature called?
Correct! LG’s Zero Gap Wall Mount system allows the G-series OLED Evo TVs to sit just millimeters from the wall, giving them an art-gallery aesthetic when mounted. The design eliminates unsightly gaps and cable clutter for a sleek, built-in look.
The correct term is Zero Gap Wall Mount, exclusive to LG’s G-series OLED lineup. The innovative mount lets the TV sit almost perfectly flush against the wall, mimicking the look of a framed painting — a concept LG calls its Gallery series design philosophy.
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How to find out how old your LG TV is
If you’re unsure how old your LG TV is or don’t know its model number, you can check directly on your TV to find out. Here’s how:
1. Hold down the Settings button (the gear icon) on your remote to open the Settings menu.
2. Navigate to Support > TV Information.
3. Your TV’s model number will be listed under Model.
You can then enter your TV’s model number on LG’s official support website, where it will tell you what year your TV is from and the support options available for it.
